Buda City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the Sunfield Municipal Utility District’s consent agreement at the Jan. 17 meeting to include a rezoning agreement that would allow approximately 35 acres to accommodate a medical center.
Assistant City Manager Chance Sparks reintroduced the agenda item to council members since the item had not appeared on an agenda since 2009.
“The key is the updated medical facility,” Sparks said regarding the major change in the amendment to the consent agreement.
Sparks said that the amendment was proposed by Sunfield to rezone the land for a medical center.
“At this point I don't know who is looking at this,” Sparks said regarding the name of the company interested in the proposed medical facility.
According to Sparks, there are two hospitals within a few miles of the city of Buda, Seton of Hays and St. Davids, but a medical center within Buda's ETJ would not only be convenient for Buda residents, but would also encourage future growth in the area.
Buda Mayor Todd Ruge said in a later interview that a new medical facility on east of Buda may mean a greater need for executive housing, so the creation of a high end neighborhood could be possible.
“Generally you need two types of housing near a hospital, executive housing and affordable housing,” Ruge said, “It’s another thing we have to consider.”
At this time it is unknown which medical company would call the facility home but Ruge said the residents of Buda would see the new medical facility “coming soon.”
At this time there is no definitive timeline for the opening of the proposed medical facility.
